All though he has retired a little earlier than usual it’s honestly better to retire at carrier high and leave that legacy behind . People will remember him being ‘the one’ instead of burning out towards the end of a very successful carrier

it's fun to see people follow their passions...regardless what anyone else thinks...especially when it leads them to exciting places. thanks for your hard work. thanks for allowing us to put a face with the voice...and, it was also great that you've allowed your personality to speak for itself for so long. for me...your videos have been comforting on multiple levels through some really hard times and you are appreciated. 💜

It's honestly so hard to lose him, as legendary as Yuzuru was for his artistry, Shoma standalone was always a force to reckon. His skating style was very captivating because it blended power and grace so seamlessly. Like you mentioned, he is still very much the TOP male skater and having skated alongside other legendary figures for years...I can see how he feels like his own era is closing as all his compatriots have retired. With the actual end of this era, I'm left feeling quite empty as there really isn't anyone else in the current generation of skaters which draws me in. But even Shoma took a while to perfect his craft, so it's only fair to give the upcoming skaters a chance to develop their careers

When i actually opened my Instagram i actually choked my drink i wasn't surprised at all i hope he finds guidance and prosperity in his life hopefully he will find something that will make him happy, i hope which ever path he takes will lead him to a lifetime long of happiness and prosperity and joy sad that he's retiring as well

I still cannot believe it, he’s only 26 and his artistry is still pretty much unmatched. Thought he would be like Jason Brown and be around for a few more years!

So sad...

As much as I wanted to see Shoma on the next Olympics I guess there is one thing that doesn't have to do with competition that makes a lot of skaters retire. Being in shape for such high levels of competition requires so much energy and determination. A lot of skaters are just tired.

I'm with you, Paola... No one I used to follow and love is around anymore 😢

Nah, he was not sure whether to continue further at least for a year already. Japan skating federation made it clear that Kagiyama is kinda considered its priority now (he got higher scores from Japanese judges than Shono for some time already; btw, I'm pretty sure Yuzuru also was scored lower than Uno by Japanese judges by the end of his career). It seems like Japanese federation tends to give hints that it's time to retire, though both were still quite competitive. I believe Shomo said in some interviews he could earn much more for ice shows etc, sport is more about medals and recognition, and like he wants to marry his girlfriend, start a family, so he needs to save up, but competitive sports take too much time, so it's really no surprise he retired

The 2022 Olympics were just so sad to watch. Especially since Sasha didn't even wanted to cry on live television but just wanted to go somewhere to be alone but wasn't allowed

Been watching you since the beginning! So proud of how much you've grown❤

I mean Stephan has said that Shoma has been thinking of retiring soon but doesn’t know when. I figured before the next Olympic and I was right…🥲

I think Shomo's body has taken a lot of abuse and he's skated through injury a lot more than was publicized. Enough is enough, he deserves to move on.

Didn’t surprise me at all. In the interview after worlds, he talked about still considering about the next year’s plan when he already showed signs of retirement.

OMGGGG YOU ARE SO PRETTTYYYYYYYYYYYY

My guess is he's just over it. Based on his interviews, it doesn't sound like his heart is in it anymore. Before he retired he switched management companies from USM to Marin's management. I know she's still young but I wonder if they're gonna get married soon.

PLEASE GOD PLEASE LET KAORI GO TO MILAN AND WINNN

Not unpopular opinion, i LOVE his grace too, and i think we're many. I hope to see a lot of him skating out of competition ❤ Can you plezse talk about shows ? Tbh I don't see skaters who retire from competitive skating bc I only follow the competitions. ❤ Love your channel, thank youu Paola !

I'm so sad to hear this. I started watching figure skating for the art and stood for Evgenia Medvedeva and him, like you. Always was my fav in the men amont all the compétition and other great skaters. I love his career and agree with you I'm fed up with comparing him with Yuzuru all the time, we knoooow by now. He's first in our heart and it is sad he retires but I hope he will move forward happily and it is all I want for him. Let's remember he won everything (I know, not Olympics)

I was very surprised. Was hoping for him to last to the next Olympics. Interestingly he trained with Eteri for a hot minute… be fascinated to know his insight there!

I'm not cry I'm not crying

Now I am gonna binge watch Uno's performances and cry reminiscing his time.

this doesn't surprise me. but still, it saddens me very much. Even though he wasn't dominant in the last season as much as in previous ones, he was still great. I used to look forward to his programs. His movements are so graceful and classy, really a delight to the eyes. I am gonna miss him so much. end of an era.

I hope this doesn't sound creepy 😂 but like, when I'm listening to content where the person isn't on screen my brain just kind of creates how they look , not on purpose or anything, just the same way your brain does when you are reading a book, and why do you look literally identical to the person my brain created when I listen to your videos 😂 you are so so pretty and I love your hair. But that's wild, like am I psychic?(jk)

you beauty queen🫶🏽

i dropped off fs the last two years so this made me a bit sad, but its nice to be on the loop! I guess its not completely surprising considering just how many skaters from his era have retired too. Like a lot of people have said, really an end of an era…🥺

Bruh. 💀 I was just showing my mom a video of Shoma Uno and telling her how I’m so glad this talented man was still competing after my fav (Yuzuru Hanyu) stepped down. I wanted to see his light shine brighter! Very disheartening to see him retire, just wishing him joy 💔

My brain still can't process this news. I'm gonna be in denial for a while.

No!!!!! His artistry has always been number one, even when he didn’t take the top prize. I’m so sad.

I just hope he is going to be doing what he wants to do after this. Like if his heart isn't in it, why keep going? We had him for long and am just glad I managed the catch right of those 21 years. Bc seriously, if skating gave out pensions, the man would be fully vested and ready to get his monthly check for life.

I think while Shoma's skating is beautiful, he just couldn't keep up technically. He tends to have some pretty interesting jump techniques to say the least, and he just can't do everything that Ilia, Adam, and Yuma can. I see the lack of motivation and him knowing he can't do all they can making him no longer want to compete.

He was the person that led me to appreciate this sport, and my favorite skater😞...but Shoma once said that he wish fans who only like him can fall in love with this sport, and respect every skater.😞Which I will try.

It’s the up and comers for sure. Every year, they will keep coming. That kills incentive. The math wasn’t mathing.

I retired at age 26 so I think it's okay but it's hard to explain to people why. It's a great age to retire. YOu still got so many things you can do.

I'm fairly new to figure skating in general so 2023-2024 is my first season as a fan, Shoma being one of the skaters who I was constantly drawn to and enthralled by. So imagine my shock from seeing my little guy retire. I was really hoping that he would stick around and maybe reach Jason Brown levels of longevity, wherein he may not podium but we're glad he's still here, but I will also acknowledge that him retiring in a fairly positive note is a good thing. He'll always have a place in my heart.

I wanna cry. He's one of my favourite skaters. From my point of view, he acquired interpretation skills when he started being coached by Stephane. Don't know how to explain it but his performances became more beautiful. He also looked happier. I'm so sad but I wish him the best...I genuine think he just wanted a change of environment.

I’m so sad Shoma is retiring, but I expect he’ll have a fantastic professional career!

He said he'll retire after the World's and the time has come. Also I think 26 is not too young, he's had so many injuries and I think he couldn't come back 100% after the last one.

Fingers crossed that he continues in shows and he can shine even brighter without the restrictions of competition rules. For me, Lambiel was/is THE icon and the men's competitions are not the same for me since 2010. Some of his students bring back his vibes, like Shoma and Deniss. But Stephane was their predecessor with that insane musicality on the ice. While it was really sad that he retired in 2010, he actually created even greater masterpieces for shows afterwards. He does so even now, 14 years after his retirement still skating himself. A true icon. I hope to see Shoma continue creating as well. The ISU rules need a huge comprehensive update to support beautiful skating again.

I always liked Shoma. I know after the 2018 season when he went to team Tutberidze for 6 months he was traumatized to the point where he was eating and never leaving his room. Stephen for all his flaws as a skater was always a beautiful and fun skater to watch. He really bought out Shoma’s musicality and consistency following that. Unfortunately he was always in Yuzu’s shadow. While I always liked Shoma more, the media could never separate them. I am happy he was able to have 2 seasons with Shoma as Japan's top man and top man in the world. I am happy I saw the best short program of his career. I am sad he went out with a bad Free program. I was happy with the congratulations he sent to Yuma at the end. Shoma is one of the greatest male figure skaters of all time with the amount of titles and medals he has gotten over his long 21 year career. He will be missed but I hope he finds happiness no matter what he decides to do. He also is the most adorable Japanese man ever and he only gets cuter as he gets older

im gonna miss him.

My favorite skaters are all retired by now... We all knew it was coming, but I'm still sad to see Shoma go. I don't know, I'm not that excited about FS as I was before. I'm gonna miss him.

Congratulations! 🍾🎉🥳

Lol i cried when I read the announcement

I think you pretty much answered your own question - it’s better to turn professional without major injury issues and at a time when Uno is still hugely popular 🙂 There’s also limited impact on Team Japan now that Yuma is back, so it’s not like he’s leaving them in the lurch. There have been rumblings about Uno retiring since last summer, I don’t think this was a sudden decision at all. It’s even been timed to coincide with Mao Asada’s new rink opening and his family opening a new café, not to mention his management contract was up and he’s now switched to the same agency as his long-term girlfriend. They’re already booked for a show with Stephane in Switzerland and for another run of One Piece on Ice!

When I saw the headline my jaw dislocated, I thought he'd at least stay this season and maybe one more

With Shoma’s retirement there will definitely be a lack of gravitas in men’s skating. Ilia and Adam are very talented, but they both seem really interested in trying to one up each other on social media, which is not appealing to me. Yuma could get there with the gravitas, but he isn’t there yet. One thing I loved about Shoma is that he just went out and did his thing and didn’t seek out attention. I think we’re entering a new era in men’s skating where they go for being influencers as well as skaters. Best of luck to the men, but I’m not sure this era will be enjoyable for me.

girl you are SO pretty i love ur style asw the earrings and necklace are perfection

Ugh I’m gonna miss him so much 😭😞 💔

As a shoma fan following his career closely I think it’s funny how a lot of people are surprised by the retirement. We’ve been seeing this coming for a long time and I would be more surprised if he continued honestly. Sadly, it’s a huge loss for competitive fs, the competitions will definitely be less exciting for me going forward for sure.